Overview

Work on TIA s IS-93 began in 1992 when it became clear that technology development had elevated the wireless switch from the technical functionality of a PBX to that of a switching system equal to that of a telephone company switch. A number of wireless industry players had hoped to use IS-93 as a way of forcing the RBOCs into re-negotiating their interconnection agreements. The most significant difference between IS-93 and TR-NPL-000145 Issues 1 and 2 was the acceptance of a bi-directional signaling relationship between the cellular carriers and the PSTN. By acknowledging that the SS7 signaling occurred in two directions, the RBOCs could interact with the cellular carrier as a co-carrier; therefore, the cellular carriers could force acceptance of mutual compensation. GR-145-CORE was written (by Bellcore now known as Telcordia) in response to IS-93 Revision A. Bellcore s GR is a proprietary product sold by Bellcore. Some industry players believe the Bellcore document was funded by the owners of Bellcore in order to keep their existing interconnection agreements in place.

Why the documents were written is really not of any consequence. What is relevant is that both documents support the interconnection business.

Both documents were written to support technical and business perspectives and objectives of their respective interest groups: GR-145-CORE supports the objectives of the RBOCs, and IS-93 supports the objectives of the wireless industry (specifically the Cellular Telecommunications Industry Association (CTIA) and the TIA). IS-93 is intended to support the entire wireless community. IS-93 is a standard. GR-145-CORE...